Losing Juliet: A gripping psychological drama with twists you won’t see coming

by June Taylor

  ‘No!’ Eloise protested.

  The night-time spell had been cast over Rome and it was just as irresistible. The streets were bathed in a magical glow of yellows, purples and blues. There was an energy and excitement pulsating through them.

  ‘Aren’t we near the Trevi?’ Eloise asked.

  ‘Yes, actually. And a good time to go in the evening when it’s a little quieter.’

  Juliet looked to Chrissy for approval.

  ‘Sure. Why not?’

  She took them via the Spanish Steps again to experience the Fontana della Barcaccia by night. The sinking boat was flooded in yellow, sad but beautiful, and around the Steps the cameras flashed like exploding stars. People turned to silhouettes as they walked in front of illuminated shop windows, and the obelisk in Piazza Mignanelli was also lit up. They turned left up Via del Nazareno and across Via del Tritone to Via Della Stamperia.

  The sound of rushing water could be heard long before they reached the Trevi, and jubilant voices were swept along on its spray. Nothing could prepare Eloise for what was to come, however. Ancient streetlamps created shadows over the pale marble sculptures, bringing them to life. The night sky was reflected in the thick pool of water as the white cascades continued their downward shimmer. Eloise pointed her camera in every direction, pausing for Juliet to explain that at the centre of the fountain was Neptune – or was it Ocean – she could never remember which – standing in his shell-shaped chariot pulled by two sea horses, Tritons on either side. ‘One horse is wild. Do you see that? So the Triton on the left is struggling to control it. But the other horse is calm. It’s a metaphor for the sea’s changing moods.’

  Chrissy was rubbing her shoulders as she listened, though it wasn’t cold. ‘It’s like they’re frozen in time,’ she said.

  Her words made all the other sounds fade away, except for the tumbling water.

  ***

  ‘You must be exhausted,’ said Juliet. ‘At least I’m used to this heat. Make yourselves at home. I’ll put some coffee on.’

  Chrissy turned her face to the ceiling fan, busily whirring away above them. The cat jumped onto her lap and she began stroking it, surprised when it curled up, purring loudly. ‘Well you certainly know how to make yourself at home … whatever your name is. Do you even have a name? Hm?’

  Juliet loaded some cups noisily onto a tray, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Eloise. There was something determined in her expression that worried Eloise.

  The cat yawned, extending its paw.

  ‘She’s called Chrissy,’ Juliet announced.

  The cat purred louder, as if to verify. Chrissy was still waiting for the sensible answer. When it didn’t come she let out a nervous laugh. ‘Okay, you’re kidding me, right? Eloise?’

  Eloise gave her a neutral shrug.

  It was a moment or two before they realized Juliet was crying.

  ‘You probably thought it was easy for me, Chrissy. Well I can assure you it wasn’t.’ She brushed away the tears and picked up the tray. ‘It was like you’d died.’

  ‘Poor Juliet,’ said Chrissy, heading towards her with the cat in her arms.

  Juliet put the tray down in readiness.

  ‘Here,’ said Chrissy, thrusting the white bundle into her chest. She carried on walking and left the room.

  The cat let out a meow, objecting to the rough handling, and then to Juliet’s wet face being pressed into its fur. When Juliet saw Eloise coming towards her she looked hopeful all over again. But it was only to give her arm a quick squeeze before she went in search of her mother.

  ***

  Chrissy was already in bed when Eloise stormed into the room.

  ‘You didn’t even say goodnight, Mum.’

  ‘So. It’s been quite a day,’ she replied.

  The French doors were wide open but it didn’t bring the temperature down any. Even the breeze blowing in on the curtain brought with it a flame of heat.

  ‘Look, I know this is a big deal for you, coming to Italy and everything—’

  ‘I said I’d do it for you, didn’t I?’

  ‘Well, that’s just it,’ said Eloise, refusing to be appeased that easily. ‘Why are you being so hard on Juliet? It wasn’t her fault what happened.’ She flopped down onto her bed, stretching out. ‘Is there more to this than you’re telling me, Mum? Is there?’

  The bed creaked as Chrissy turned over. ‘How do people survive in these temperatures?’

  The curtain rippled in again and Eloise caught it with her hand. ‘I just want us to have a nice time here.’ She sighed as she let it go again, watching it retreat like a diminishing wave. ‘That’s all I want.’

  ‘Me too, Eloise. I will try.’

  ‘And I feel sorry for her. Just seems so unfair what happened to you both. I can’t stop thinking about it.’

  There was a pause before her mother responded, and when she did she sounded tearful. ‘I’m so sorry, Eloise. It really breaks my heart.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad that bastard is dead because it means he can’t do it to anyone else. I think it will get easier, Mum, from now on.’

  ‘Sure it will,’ she replied, faintly.

  ‘Juliet must have missed you a lot, mustn’t she, to name the cat after you?’ Eloise laughed at the strangeness of it. ‘I suppose, though, when you think about it she could still have been a student at the time. So maybe it’s not that weird she named it after you, so soon after you’d gone and everything.’

  ‘I guess not.’

  Chrissy was clearly not in the mood for talking and Eloise felt herself eventually drifting off. She was almost asleep when she became aware of a light tapping sound somewhere in the room.

  ‘Juliet?’ she called out, sliding off the bed. She opened the door a little way, realizing that was where it was coming from.

  It was Luca.

  ‘Ah! Mi scusi. My wife thought you were still up.’

  ‘Oh. Well, I am, sort of. Erm, you can come in.’

  He stepped into the room and didn’t seem perturbed to find Chrissy already in bed. She sat up, pulling the sheet into her chin.

  ‘So,’ he said, rubbing his hands. ‘Juliet tells me you like to run, no?’

  ‘Yes, she does. And she’s brilliant. Really fast.’

  ‘Ah! In that case, tomorrow morning, if you would like to join me—’

  ‘No. But thank you.’

  ‘You should go, Mum. It’s your thing.’

  ‘What time?’ she asked, being polite.

  ‘Six thirty. So it’s not too hot.’

  ‘Well, I’ll see. Thank you, Luca.’

  He gave her a nod on his way out.

  Chrissy shouted to him: ‘But please don’t wait for me,’ and he nodded again, closing the door.

  ‘Why don’t you go, Mum?’

  ‘What if he really does know something?’ she whispered.

  ‘Juliet says he doesn’t. Just trust her. Do you really not see how much she wants to be your friend again? She couldn’t make it any clearer. You’re still her best friend after all these years.’

  ***

  At first she thought it was an intruder in their room. She froze, not daring to open her eyes. Then she realized it was her mother tiptoeing about.

  ‘What are you doing? What time is it?’

  ‘Six fifteen.’

  ‘It’s the middle of the night.’

  ‘I’m going for a run with Luca. At your suggestion.’

  ‘I was wrong, it’s insane.’ Eloise pulled the thin sheet over her face then threw it off again because even that was too hot.

  ‘Healthy body, healthy mind,’ Chrissy said, kissing her on the cheek.

  ‘Well, it’s not working,’ said Eloise, but only when she was gone.

  Juliet was out on the balcony when Eloise eventually surfaced an hour or so later. She was holding a thick white envelope, tapping it against her hand. Eloise was about to go and join her, but hung back when she suddenly tilted her head back to slip down a couple of pil
ls with a drink of water.

  She turned round, startled. ‘Oh. Morning, Eloise. Did you sleep well?’

  ‘I did until Mum woke me up saying she was going to run a marathon with Luca before breakfast.’

  ‘You didn’t fancy it then? We can go for a swim later if you like. Some neighbours have a pool we can use.’

  ‘That’d be great.’

  Juliet got her a glass of freshly pressed orange juice, ice cold from the fridge.

  ‘Heavenly,’ she said, taking a large mouthful.

  ‘Cheese Eloise,’ said Juliet, laughing, as she chinked her glass. ‘I still haven’t the foggiest what that means, by the way.’

  ‘Oh, it’s just something my dad said to me once. What he actually said was “Cheers Eloise”, but I was really young and stupid, and I said to him: “Daddy, why did you just call me Cheese Eloise?” The name sort of stuck after that. I don’t mind.’

  Juliet smiled fondly and indicated that they should go back onto the balcony. She followed with croissants and pastries and then poured out some coffee.

  ‘I don’t really smoke,’ she said, lighting a cigarette. ‘Just for emergencies.’

  Eloise assumed that must mean anything to do with her mother then. ‘She’s not always like this,’ she said, biting into a pastry. ‘What I mean is, my mum can be really lovely. She is really lovely.’

  Juliet sipped her coffee. ‘I know that. We need to take things slowly, that’s all.’

  Eloise noticed the envelope on the table. It had been opened. ‘Listen, if you have to work, Juliet, I don’t mind. I can always—’

  ‘What? Oh that. No.’ She picked it up and pretended to toss it down onto the street below. ‘It’s not important,’ she said, skimming it across the table instead.

  Eloise stared out at the rooftops. ‘They’ve been gone ages, haven’t they? Must be roasting out there.’

  ‘Luca normally stops for breakfast on the way home. I suspect they’ll be here soon. We’ll put your mum back together again, Eloise. You mustn’t worry.’

  Juliet’s hand was hot against her head as she stroked her hair, and Eloise was pleased when the cat began swishing round her legs because she could bend down to pick it up.

  ‘I’m not sure I can call your cat Chrissy, Juliet. Might be a bit weird for my mum.’

  Juliet put her finger to her lips when they heard the door open in the hallway. ‘Ciao,’ she shouted.

  Chrissy was the first to show. Her face was flushed, her hair scraped back with sweat but she had an exhilarated glow about her.

  Luca staggered in behind. ‘This one doesn’t run,’ he said, panting heavily. ‘She sprints.’

  ‘What a way to see Rome,’ said Chrissy. ‘They were just setting up the vegetable market in Campo de’Fiori, and all the little places slowly coming to life everywhere. Wonderful. Thank you, Luca.’

  ‘Sit down,’ said Juliet. She brought out a large jug of water from the fridge, ice cubes clunking against the sides.

  ‘Hello, little Chrissy,’ said Luca to the cat. ‘You must feel very honoured to have a human named after you.’ Luca raised one eyebrow at Chrissy, as if to say that wasn’t his idea.

  ‘Go have a shower, you stink,’ said Juliet, followed by something else in Italian. She had the envelope in her hand and was tapping him with it rather aggressively as she pushed him out. Luca was having to shield himself. Then she turned round, forcing herself to smile. ‘You’re welcome to take a shower, too, Chrissy. Whenever you want.’

  ‘Actually I’d prefer a cold bath, if you don’t mind. I saw that you have one.’

  ‘All yours,’ said Juliet. She then excused herself to go and find Luca.

  It wasn’t long before Eloise could hear raised voices. Passionate chitchat, or they were having a row?

  ***

  Despite the heat, Eloise had already decided she wanted to live in Rome as well as London.

  ‘I think my brain is cooking today,’ she said, flopping into a chair in Piazza Navona on one of their many excursions. It was a beautiful square, lined with restaurants and elegant palaces with pastel façades. Artists had set up their easels around the Fountain of the Four Rivers. A perfect spot for lunch.

  Juliet had set aside the whole day for shopping. At the request of Chrissy, they had spent the morning at Porta Portese flea market on the other side of the Tiber. Despite this being ‘for old times’ sake’, picking out the bargains like in their student days, they nearly came to blows when Chrissy found a pair of earrings which Juliet then surreptitiously bought for her. And Chrissy had been sulky ever since.

  ‘Order whatever you like,’ said Juliet when the waiter came over with menus.

  ‘I’ll get these,’ said Chrissy. ‘You’re paying for everything. It’s too much.’

  ‘Luca says that Rome is like a big Italian feast. And you should feast. You are my guests.’

  ‘In that case, can I have the biggest gelato in the whole of Italy?’ said Eloise.

  Chrissy closed the menu. She ordered a glass of tap water. It was far too hot to try to persuade her otherwise, and even when their ice creams arrived she still would not be tempted.

  ‘Mm,’ said Eloise, slowly retracting the spoon from her mouth. ‘You really should try some, Mum.’

  ‘I’m okay, thank you.’

  ‘The frutti di bosco in this are divine,’ said Juliet, pushing her bowl towards Chrissy.

  ‘No. Really.’ Chrissy pushed it back again with a tight smile. It became something of a game, teasing Chrissy with dripping spoonfuls of delicious ice cream.

  Until she snapped.

  ‘I said no, didn’t I? At least one of you ought to know what that word means.’

  She banged her fists on the table. They exchanged sheepish glances.

  ‘Chrissy, I’m so sorry,’ said Juliet.

  ‘Me too,’ said Eloise.

  ‘I wasn’t really thinking.’

  ‘As we know, Juliet, never one of your strong points. Unless it was about yourself.’

  Juliet put down her spoon, her hands fell limply onto the table. ‘Do you really mean that, Chrissy? Is that what you think of me?’

  ‘She doesn’t,’ said Eloise.

  ‘Scusi, signore.’ Chrissy waved her arm at the waiter. ‘The bill, please.’ He gave her a nod and went away again. Chrissy sighed, blowing air down the front of her shirt. ‘This heat is something else, isn’t it?’

  They sat in silence after that, Juliet on the verge of tears. When the bill arrived, Chrissy was allowed to settle it without any fuss. Moments later, Juliet slapped the table. ‘Right,’ she said, trying to sound cheery again. ‘So, are we ready to hit the shops big time?’

  Chrissy stood up, pushing her chair back. ‘I’m afraid that’s me done for the day. What about you, Eloise?’

  She looked pleadingly at her mother. She had been promised boutiques and Italian high street this afternoon.

  ‘Right then,’ said Chrissy, trying to disguise her hurt. ‘I’ll see you back at the apartment.’ She screwed her eyes at Juliet. ‘Don’t spend too much. Please.’

  Juliet nodded. ‘I’m sorry again, Chrissy.’

  ‘I know you are.’

  They watched her cross the Square, soon swallowed up by the flow of people.

  When she was out of sight, Juliet sprang up. ‘Shall we?’ she said, offering her arm to Eloise.

  Making their way to Via del Corso, Eloise fell into step, and for a moment imagined this woman so full of joie de vivre was her mother. She grinned at anyone who gave them a look, but as soon as she realized what she was doing she felt ashamed, freeing herself to walk alongside Juliet, leaving a gap in between.

  ‘Why do you think she’s so off with you? She says she blames him for what happened, not you.’

  ‘Mm,’ Juliet replied, pondering on it. She seemed about to say something and then stopped. But seeing Eloise’s expression, imploring her to answer, she tried again. ‘Well, I suppose it could be because I was a bit flirty with your d
ad once. But—’ She put her hand up so she could finish. ‘But only to test his loyalty, that was all. Chrissy was my best friend and they’d been going out since they were in highchairs. I didn’t know your dad that well at the time and didn’t want her to get hurt or – or waste her best years. They were living in different cities; I wanted to know that Dan was solid.’

  ‘Oh,’ Eloise responded, suddenly thrown off balance. ‘So … was he?’

  ‘Of course he was. He loved your mum to bits and nothing was ever going to come between them.’

  Eloise was still musing on this as Juliet grabbed her hand and swung it back and forth. ‘Let’s give that credit card some stick, shall we?’

  She was prepared to buy whatever she touched, but Eloise drew the line in the more exclusive designer stores on Via dei Condotti. ‘We shouldn’t go too mad, Juliet.’

  ‘Why not? She can’t stop me spoiling you. You’re officially my adopted daughter now.’

  ***

  They could barely get through the door with so many bags and boxes. Remarkably, Chrissy made no further comment. But that night, when they were alone together, Eloise took it upon herself to say something. ‘It’s just her way of saying thank you, Mum. She’s obviously loaded.’

  ‘And if she wasn’t loaded?’

  ‘She’d still be great,’ she said, giving her a kiss. ‘Just like you.’ Eloise hesitated before her next question. ‘Mum. Be honest. Were you ever worried about Juliet and Dad?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You know what I mean.’

  Chrissy sighed. She had been brushing her hair and stopped. ‘Juliet has a very strange approach to relationships. But her parents are to blame for that.’ She gave Eloise a reassuring smile. ‘Your dad thought the world of her. They were good friends, nothing more.’

  Eloise bounced onto her bed, stretching out, hands behind her head. ‘Do you think you would have tried to find Juliet if she hadn’t got in touch with you? I mean, like one day.’

  Chrissy threw her hairbrush onto the pillow. ‘I doubt it.’

  ‘But imagine you’d found out that she’d died.’ She had gone into the bathroom so Eloise then had to shout. ‘You’d feel awful, wouldn’t you, Mum? You hear of people doing that, leaving it too late.’